Windies next after banana skin

SHANE Watson ensured Australia did not slip on the potential banana skin posed by playing Ireland in their Twenty20 World Cup opener.

The all-rounder produced a man-of-the-match performance in Australia's seven-wicket win in Group B at Colombo's Premadasa Stadium.

Watson took 3-26 to help restrict the Irish to 7-123.

He backed that up by scoring 51 from 30 balls as Australia cruised home with 4.5 overs to spare.

Watson, who will play for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL this season, said the win was just what the doctor ordered.

"We knew how important it was to really make a statement in this game," he said. "It's a bit of a blueprint of the intensity that we need to have as a team in this tournament."

The Aussies play the Windies tomorrow night (midnight AEST) and Watson is well aware of the danger lurking in that showdown, particularly the threat from master blaster, big-hitting opener Chris Gayle.

"He's a huge X-factor now he is back in their line-up," Watson said "There is do doubt he can win a game if he has a day out."